Fact Check: Did Danielle Smith’s less confrontational approach to Trump pay off?
B.C., Ontario and Quebec have been among the loudest advocates of a tougher Canadian response to Washington, while Alberta has opted to oppose retaliatory measures and repeatedly warned against threatening to restrict oil and gas exports to the U.S.
Premier Danielle Smith has faced months of criticism for refusing to join other premiers in taking a more confrontational approach toward the Trump administration.
Now, Alberta is among the provinces least exposed to the latest U.S. tariffs.
According to an analysis by economist Trevor Tombe, approximately 13.7% of British Columbia’s exports to the United States are exposed to the new 50% tariff, followed by Quebec at 10.8% and Ontario at 9%.
Smith's approach to US trade negotiations is the only strategy that has actually worked, and Alberta has remained largely immune to tariffs.
— Michael Thomlinson (@miket136) August 23, 2026
The rest of the nation would be wise to emulate this strategy rather than disparaging her for doing her job. https://t.co/GiNvLFtjxF
Alberta sits at just 1%.
B.C., Ontario and Quebec have also been among the loudest advocates of a tougher Canadian response to Washington. Smith instead opposed retaliatory measures and repeatedly warned against threatening to restrict Alberta oil and gas exports to the U.S.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has fighting words: "President Trump would steal your lunch money on the first day. He'd steal the toque off your head the second day, and the third day, he'd steal your running shoes." pic.twitter.com/ndGClSnafT
— Stephen Taylor (@stephen_taylor) August 22, 2026
The numbers certainly make Smith’s strategy look better in hindsight.
Sadly, we all know that the subsidies addicted CDN MSM will just continue to regurgitate & amplify Carney’s narrative as if it were the gospel.
— Lee Humphrey (@tleehumphrey) August 23, 2026
They won’t ask questions, they won’t seek answers from the US negotiators or question the idea that Carney has just unilaterally… https://t.co/2y2j0SD4pw pic.twitter.com/Z1lY5x1RNI
Alberta has an enormous structural advantage: its most important export is oil, which the U.S. depends heavily upon and has largely avoided targeting.
Smith argued escalation could make matters worse, refused to weaponize Alberta energy, pushed for negotiation and maintained a comparatively friendly relationship with Washington.
Meanwhile, Alberta is facing roughly one-thirteenth the tariff exposure of B.C., one-eleventh that of Quebec and one-ninth that of Ontario.
Whatever Canadians think of Smith’s approach, those numbers make it increasingly difficult to argue that confrontation has produced better results.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.
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